I was born August 12, 2006, about 12 weeks early, weighing 1 lb 8 oz. I was hospitalized for 514 days, 6 months in NICU and 11 months in PICU, and I finally got to go home for the first time on January 7th, 2008. I've been working really hard to grow my lungs bigger and stronger so I can eventually get off my ventilator and do all the things other kids do. I'm pretty tough but my smile will charm you.

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Major Strides!

We upped Kiera's anti-seizure meds, so seizure activity seems stable. Kiera is feeling great and getting into everything. She is down to 1 to 1.5 liters of Oxygen during the day. She is signing a ton and trying to communicate. She seems hungry for knowledge. She requests that her diaper be changed, attempts teeth brushing a little, washes her hands, and actually tried eating about a dozen pea-sized bites of yogurt tonight. She is still VERY orally defensive, but I think she is very hungry. She probably needs her formula volume increased a little, but I am trying to take advantage of her clear desire for food and see if we have a window of opportunity here. She is learning all of the topics on her sign language videos and enjoys sitting on the potty (unfortunately AFTER the diaper is dirty for now). I think she is understanding our use of reason with her when it comes to these scary developmental steps. She is also playing better with other children. She is still very self entertained but occasionally allows other children into her world. Today we went to her cousins' birthday party. They had a HUGE jumper rented which Kiera went in for the first time. Another little girl said "hello" to her and Kiera said "hi." It comes out as an airy whisper when she says it, but it was clear to me. Things seem to be progressing exponentially. We are pretty excited to see what lies around the bend.

Kiera's peek-a-boo game

Kiera's First Love, July 2007

About Me

I was born on August 12, 2006, after an emergency C-Section. I was about 12 weeks premature. 1 lb. 8 oz., a little underweight for a 28-weeker. Mostly, aside from my Chronic Lung disease from the early delivery, and having to live with a trachiostomy and a respirator, and beating my Pulminary Hypertension and thickening of my heart walls, all-in-all I am doing fine.

bornalivetruth.org

Kiera's NICU Days

I didn't start the blog till Kiera was 6 months old and in danger of dying; so here are some early days pics for those who didn't know her when she was so small.

Mommy's first chance to hold Kiera on day 2, just over the heated bed.

First Kangaroo Cuddle at 5 days old, 1 lb 6oz, she lost a little weight like all babies after birth.

2 lb princess

Take Daddy's hand

Mommy gives Kiera a sponge bath, weight about 3 lbs

In the 3 lb range, the blanket is a security blanket or burp cloth size, folded in half. When I got it as a gift before she was born, I thought, "What a ridiculously small blanket!" It ended up being just perfect for her.